Algarve Information

Currency

Weather/Climate

The Algarve has a warm climate with over than 3,000 hours sunshine a year, more than the Costa Brava, Mallorca or French Riviera. 

Summer temperatures are however below the extremes of those in the Mediterranean countries and see breezes keep down temperatures in the evenings. The ideal to visit is spring, in April and May the countryside is lush and green with a profusion of wild flowers. But to see the almond trees in blossom you need to visit Algarve in January or early February

Language

Portuguese is the official Language of Portugal. Knowledge of Spanish or French will help to understand written Portuguese, but the pronunciation is not as easy. On the coast English is widely spoken, but north of N125 you are likely to need at least a smattering of Portuguese.Mastering even few key words is invaluable:

I don't speak Portuguese: Nao falo portugues
I don't understand: Nao compreendo
Yes/No: Sim/Nao
Where is..? Onde e..?
When..? Quando..?
How much does it cost..? Quanto custa..?
Do you have a room..? Tem um quarto livre?
Good morning: Bom dia
Good afternoon: Boa tarde
Good night: Boa noite
Hello: Ola
Goodbye : Adeus
Please: Por Favor
Thank you: Obrigado/Obrigada

Attractions

Below are a small taste of the attractions you can find in the Algarve. Click here to see more places of interest in the Algarve.

Zoomarine - The Life Of The Sea

A fascinating entertaining and educational oceanographic facility taking its theme from the links the Algarve has with the sea. Bring your family and enjoy a wonderful day watching dolphins, seals, sharks, turtles, exotic birds, seabirds, alligators and tropical fish. Zoomarine is characteristics, exhibitions and shows of an exceptionally high standard make it unique in Portugal. In a tranquil setting offset by lakes and gardens Zoomarine has created the right environment to reveal the "secrets of the sea". The park has all the requisite amenities you need for a happy family outing: restaurants, shops, amusements and swimming pools.

Vilamoura

It's fun watching the steady transformation of Vilamoura, particularly the huge new marina, with berthing for over 600 craft. It's best in the evening when the quayside restaurants throw open their doors. Vilamoura lies at the heart of golfing country of course, but there are also pleasant beaches, dramatic clifftop walks and all manner of watersports.

The Land's End - Cape St Vincent

Here stands Europe's most south westerly point, the "Land's End" of Portugal. The cape is still an important shipping landmark and the lighthouse (sometimes open to the public) is visible 50 miles away.
It's an awe-inspiring place, packed with tourists in summer, but if you venture away from the coaches and kiss-me-quick souvenirs piled high at the entrance you'll find some lovely windswept beaches and quiet corners where you can contemplate the end of the world!

The stunning view of the Serra de Monchique

Monchique village is in a class of its own. And it's a little cooler up in these mountains too! The village, some would say town, has genuinely retained much of the old world Algarvian charm which has evaporated in too many others. Here you will find potters, shoemakers and basket-makers eager to introduce you to a traditional way of life. The highlight of the village is undoubtedly the stunning view of the Serra de Monchique, which makes an unusual base for an overnight stop. At an altitude of 902m (just under 3,000 feet), this is the highest spot in the whole of the Algarve, some days you can see all the way to Cape St Vincent and Sintra

Sagres - The fortress of Henry the Navigator

If you manage to head out towards the far western tip of the Algarve you won't be able to miss Sagres - the most unmistakable landmark is Ponta de Sagres, the fortress of Henry the Navigator. It's a foreboding, somewhat daunting place, where one can imagine the great Henry gathering the greatest minds of the day behind closed doors - astronomers, astrologers, mariners and shipbuilders. The Town of Sagres however, has some pleasant laid-back cafes and restaurants, where you can relax and idle the day away in the cooler breezes of the west.

Silves - the Old Moorish Capital

Silves, picturesquely silhouetted above the River Arade, its castle looming large, dates back to the Romans. The castle is the Algarve's finest and dominates an old Moorish capital with cool shady streets. Historically - minded tourists will appreciate the city walls and four-arched bridge as well as the castle's interior and archaeological museum. Photographers may get their best pictures from the beautifully restorted castle ramparts, or, perhaps, from the Cathedral next door, a largely Gothic building.

Tavira -The Town of Churches

If you want to escape the 'modern resorts', Tavira's architecture provides a pleasant suprise. It is propably the most elegant of the Algarvian towns. Often described as the 'Algarvian Rome', and more fancifully 'the Venice of Algarve', Tavira stands on two hills on either side of the River Gilao, the two sides of the town linked by a seven-arched bridge. Tavira is known as the Town of Churches, since a remarkable 22 churches and other places of worship lie within its boundaries. The late Irish author and artist Patrick Swift, who lived in the Algarve for many years, visited the town and wrote: "Tavira was like a combination of a pocket Dublin and pocket Venice. I was sorry to leave it. If it stays as it does - but what does - I should one day like to retire there."

Lagos

Lagos is a major port and historically one of the region's most interesting cities. It has style, with its sleek boats, designer boutiques and paved promenades. Prince Henry the Navigator made Lagos his headquarters but his palace was lost forever in the Great Earthquake of 1755. Fabulous beaches and coves, an historic town with great shopping in its quiet cobbled backstreets combine to make the town one of the most sought after resorts on the coast.